(31 Mar 2014) The world's two leading smartphone makers were back in a US federal court on Monday, accusing each other of stealing ideas and features.
The trial in Silicon Valley, California, which got underway with jury selection, marks the latest round in a long-running series of lawsuits between Apple and Samsung.
If Apple prevails in the current case, the cost to Samsung could reach two (b) billion US dollars.
Apple's costs, if it loses the litigation, are expected to be about six (m) million US dollars.
Whatever the outcome, it could be the consumer who ends up paying the ultimate price.
Experts say the litigation could lead to more expensive smartphones and devices and slow the overall pace of mobile innovation.
In the case in the US District Court, Apple is accusing Samsung of infringing on five patents on newer devices, including Galaxy smartphones and tablets.
In a counterclaim, Samsung says Apple stole two of its ideas to use on iPhones and iPads.
Jury selection could be challenging because the federal courthouse in San Jose is just a 15-minute drive from the Cupertino headquarters of Apple.
Most prospective jurors said they were at least somewhat familiar with the dispute, including many who work for companies affiliated with either Samsung or Apple. Some locals had strong opinions.
The two tech giants have battled in litigation around the world.
Less than two years ago, a federal jury in the same court found Samsung was infringing on Apple patents.
Samsung was ordered to pay about 900 (m) million US dollars but is appealing and has been allowed to continue selling products using the technology.
Throughout three years of litigation, Samsung's global market share has grown.
One of every three smartphones sold last year was a Samsung, now the market leader.
Apple, with its typically higher priced iPhones, was second, with about 15 percent of the market.
Experts say the case underscores a much larger concern about what is allowed to be patented and could block competition.
"If the patents are given a very broad scope... it'll be more difficult for anybody to invent around them and create new features that don't infringe, and then it would be more likely that some of these features would go away," said Notre Dame law professor Mark McKenna.
In court filings, Apple said Samsung has "systematically copied Apple's innovative technology and products, features and designs, and has deluged markets with infringing devices."
Samsung countered that it has broken technological barriers with its own ultra-slim, lightweight phones.
Specifically, Apple claims Samsung stole a tap-from-search technology that allows someone searching for a telephone number or address on the Web to tap on the results to call the number or put the address into a map.
In addition, Apple says Samsung copied "Slide to Unlock," which allows users to swipe the face of their smartphone to use it.
Samsung countered that Apple is stealing a wireless technology system that speeds up sending and receiving data.
Apple is demanding that Samsung pay a 40 US dollar royalty for each Samsung device running software allegedly conceived by Apple.
The figure is more than five times more than the amount sought in the previous trial and well above other precedents.

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